Origin and Habitat: Euphorbia tirucalli is native of Angola, Congo, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia. Present - origin uncertain: Eritrea, Ghana, Ethiopia, Sao Tomé and Principe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.Introduced from Africa as a garden plant, it is now naturalized in tropical areas and rainforests in the Amazon, Madagascar, Asia (India, Philippines, Viet Nam), Australia and South Africa and elsewhere in the tropics. The modern distribution of this species appears to have become confused by introductions and subsequent naturalization (it has a long history of utilization be people), so it is hard to know which countries are part of the original range.Altitude: 0-2000 m.Habitat: Occurs in semi-arid tropical climates in various habitats ranging from the sea-coasts to the mountain in open savanna, thin woodland, grassy hills, rocky outcrops and ridges, and along river courses. Dense thickets are associated with this species and the plant itself may form hedge-like barriers in the veld. Major Threat(s): Habitat degradation, fire, habitat clearing for charcoal. Ecology:Euphorbia tirucalli produces yellowish flowers that attract butterflies, bees and other insects.

Description:Euphorbia tirucalli is an unarmed succulent shrub often apparently dioecious growing to a height of about 5 m or a small tree up to 12(15) m tall with masses of cylindrical, pencil-like, succulent branches that form a dense crown. All parts of the plant ooze a caustic milky white sap at the slightest injury, like many other Euphorbia species. Stem: The usually single main trunk and branches are woody and brown, but the younger branches are succulent, smooth, glabrous-green and cylindrical, 5-8 mm thick, green with fine longitudinal white striations looking like many pencils and earning the plant its common name - pencil tree. The distal branches forms brush-like masses or whorls that are the best known feature of this species. The bark of very old specimens is grey and rough with longitudinal dents and ridges that break up into very small fragments. There are sometimes conspicuous, small protuberances, such as a bulge, knob, or swelling, on the bark, and occasionally black, rough, crosswise bands. Leaves: Few, minute linear-lanceolate to narrowly obovate, fleshy only on new growth and ephemeral, and the function of the leaves is taken over by the green branches. Flowers: Yellow, inconspicuous, and carried in clusters at the apex of the short branches or in the angles of branches. Cymes 2-6, congested at tips of branchlets, forking 2-4-times, producing cyathia, these usually either all male or all female. Cyathium about 3 × 4 mm; glands to 1.5 × 2 mm, 5, subspherical to transversely elliptic, bright yellow; lobes about 0.5 mm, triangular. Blooming season (Southern hemisphere): September to December. Fruit: Tripartite capsules (divided into three parts) about 8 × 8.5 mm (but up to 12 mm in diameter), subspherical, glabrescent, longitudinally very slightly lobed, exserted on a tomentose pedicel. Seeds: 3.5 × 2.8 mm, ovoid, smooth to conspicuously pubescent (clothed with soft hairs), pale green, with a pink tinge and . As with other members, the capsules dehisce while still on the tree. Generally the stalks are bent at an angle. Fruiting season (Southern hemisphere): November to December. Seeds: Oval, about 4 x 3 mm, glabrous, smooth and dark brown with a white line around the small white caruncle (fleshy wart near the hilum of the seed).

Cultivation and Propagation: It is an easy species to grow that is suited for any well drained soil in full sun. But young plant are happy growing indoors, where they can easily reach the ceiling. Give the plant an airy growing medium which mainly consists of non organic material such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould. Water regularly during the active growing season from March to September. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep almost completely dry in winter. It is a moderately fast grower, and will quickly become large landscape masterpieces in just 3-5 years. Only downside is from strong winds, the columns often smash into each other, causing permanent scarring... best to plant in such a location where winds are not a big issue. If plant becomes very red, this is a sign that the roots have not developed properly. It is a relatively fast growing and long lived plant and once established, it will be content in its position and with its soil for years. It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun. Like quite small pots, repott in very later winter, early spring. Can be pruned for shape and branching. Frost tender, frost free zones only. Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs and rarely scale.Propagation: It is easy to propagate by cuttings in late spring to summer, just take a cutting of the plant let it dry for 1 and stuff it in the ground (preferably dry, loose, extremely well draining soil).Use: Even if this plant has been used in traditional medicine in many part of the world as a remedy for a series of diseases ( cancers, excrescences, tumors, warts, asthma, cough, earache, neuralgia, rheumatism, toothache, etc..) it is highly recommended do not use it as a medicine due to its toxicity and its immune suppression and tumor-promoting properties.Beware: The milky sap contained in this plant is extremely irritating to the skin and mucosa and possibly toxic. If swallowed, it may cause burning to the mouth, lips, and tongue. Contact with skin causes severe irritation, redness and a burning sensation; contact with the eyes may cause severe pain, and in some cases temporary blindness for several days. Symptoms may worsen over 12 hours. For eye exposures, flush eyes with fresh, cool water for at least 15 minutes and repeat after a few minutes. Seek medical attention if there is no relief. Over-the-counter anti-histamines may provide relief for some people. Deaths have been recorded from swallowing the sap and, if swallowed one should seek medical attention.